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You ever wonder?

B

b.bandit

Sep 20, 2005
213
1
Columbus, OH
#1
Have any of you ever looked back at old things you have done and really liked your basslines. Almost to the point where you wonder what happened? Where did my creativity go?
I notice distinct differences in my playing from the gear I was playing at the time.

I have cycled through jazz basses a L-2000 tribute, a Trace AH-300, a Peavey Alphabass, and now a Genz Benz. I have for the most part always had my G&L sb-1 and my 2x12.

For some reason this point in my life is the most uninspired time for me. Not as much passion or excitement. I like my Genz Benz head sounds great. But for some reason I am in a creativity funk.

I am wondering have any of you changed rigs for more creativity or new sound then to just strictly upgrade to a higher end head. I am debating of switching to 2x10's or a 4x10.

I ultimately enjoyed my tone the most with my Peavey alphabass, but for some reason sitting in guitar center I always come away impressed with a GK RB 700 II.

What gives?
I don't know which route to go. 10's, 12's, GK alltube again
or just keep the Genz Benz and let time come.

All I know is that I am not very inspired at the time and I am getting frustrated.

Any Ideas suggestions?

Funds are limited, size is limited.
 
#2
I feel you, I'm on my 8th-9th different playing style. The guys I'm with now use me as the timekeeper, look to me for chord changes ect. Look for a place that has an open mike night. Breaking away from the usual with people you never played with before can get some juices flowing. Put your years of experience to work on newer music you never played before (don't try to copy the original bassline).
 
#9
When I bought my Warwick Streamer twenty three years ago I found myself doing stuff I'd never ever tried before on my Precision. I put it down to the small thin neck. Much to my surprise when I tried the same things on my Precision I could play them on that too. I think that a new instrument or other piece of gear renews your creativity and sends it down another path.

OP all of us get jaded to some extent. All artists do. an example: "writers Block".

Paul
 
#10
New stuff can be the spark you need to get a fire going. Doesn't have to be a whole new rig, or bass either. I put a small pedalboard together, and with the addition of one pedal, (a comp), a whole range of new tones opened up for me, below the E string. Cheap(ish) spark, for a whole lot of creativity that followed.
 
#11
I would say clarity in tone is key for creativity. Regardless of what bass you play, the ability to hear the nuances of the instrument lets the ideas flow.
I love playing a precision through my Acoustic Image because I can hear its natural grind or its sweet mids.

All IME only
 
#14
Oh I think new gear can light your fire. But one thing I found recently was that musical style can stagnate, too. I went from playing in soul/funk bands to an indie rock/goth band. The bass lines went from prominent, rhythmic and musical/lyrical, to just providing bottom droning and lots of repeated notes. After two years of that, I had to secretly get back into practicing funk, latin and soul to start remembering the more interesting things one can do with a bass!
 
#15
when i look back to recordings i did years ago, i am usually really pleased with them and it almost sounds like something i would not have written. the weird part is that i can remember thinking those lines were really boring and being unhappy with them at the time of recording.
 

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